Travel Health Tips: Protecting Your Health for Frequent Air Travel and More

Ear Pain During Descent

Pressure changes during landing can cause ear discomfort for many travelers, especially children and anyone flying with congestion. Swallowing and yawning can help equalize that pressure. If you board with a head cold, ask your physician about a decongestant beforehand. Flying with untreated congestion and significant pressure changes can occasionally cause a ruptured eardrum.

On a Cruise

Cruise ships get a lot of attention when norovirus outbreaks occur, partly because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks them. But the fact is that cruise ships account for under 1% of annual norovirus cases in the United States. The virus is much more common in schools, nursing homes and restaurants. Cruise ship health is tied to the enclosed environment of a ship. It allows sickness to spread quickly once it is on board. The best way to prevent infection is by washing your hands with soap and water. Using hand sanitizer helps but does not eliminate norovirus on its own.

Buffet and Food Safety

Shared serving utensils, food sitting at room temperature and high-volume food preparation all increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness on a ship. Use the serving tools provided, avoid food that has been sitting uncovered for long periods of time, and pay attention to how clean the area is. If something looks off, trust that instinct.

Report Symptoms Immediately

If you don’t feel well while on a cruise, go to the ship’s medical center right away. Cruise lines have protocols for managing illness on board, but they only work when cases are reported early. Waiting to see if symptoms pass on their own gives the virus time to spread through shared spaces.

Wipe Down Your Cabin

Door handles, light switches and the television remote in a cruise cabin are not typically sanitized between passengers. A pack of disinfectant wipes at embarkation takes two minutes to use and costs nothing in terms of comfort or enjoyment.

On the Train and on the Road

Long train journeys share more in common with flying than most people think. Shared restrooms, handrails and food service areas can all accumulate contact germs from hundreds of passengers over the course of a day. Wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom, and wipe down the seat-back tray when you sit down. On journeys over two hours, get up and walk the carriage periodically.

The same circulation risk applies to a long drive. Sitting for more than 90 minutes to two hours at a stretch slows blood flow in the legs, the same way a long flight does. Plan stops along the route, get out of the car and move around for a few minutes rather than just switching drivers. Rest stops and highway food courts are high-touch environments. Make sure to keep hand sanitizer in the cupholder and use it before eating. If back pain or stiffness is a factor, adjusting your seat position every hour or so and using a lumbar support cushion makes a long drive more manageable.

5 Travel Health Tips

A few travel wellness tips to follow regardless of how you travel or where you are going.

1. Vaccines before you go — Check that routine immunizations are current at least four to six weeks before international travel. Destinations vary widely in what is recommended or required. Your primary care physician can review your records and advise on anything additional.
2. Pack a small health kit — Pain relievers, antidiarrheal medication, motion sickness relief and any prescription medications belong in your carry-on, not your checked bag. Luggage gets lost and your medications should not.
3. Sun protection at high altitude and near the equator — UV exposure increases with altitude and as you approach the equator. Wear SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours when outdoors, whether you are hiking or sitting on a deck chair.
4. Jet lag management — Adjusting your sleep schedule one to two days before departure, getting natural light after arrival and avoiding alcohol on travel days all help your internal clock reset faster.
5. Food and water caution internationally — Tap water safety varies by country. When in doubt, stick to sealed bottled water and fully cooked food. Ice, fresh-cut fruit and salads washed in local water are common culprits.

When to See Your Physician Before You Travel

A routine domestic trip rarely needs a pre-travel appointment. International travel, travel with a chronic health condition, or travel with young children or older adults often does. Consider scheduling a visit if you manage a condition like heart disease, diabetes, or a clotting disorder, or if you are pregnant, are heading to a destination with active health advisories or need to manage prescription medications across multiple time zones.

“For patients with ongoing health conditions, a pre-travel conversation can prevent a lot of problems,” said Dr. Fuentes. “We can make sure medications are properly supplied, flag any destination-specific risks and give patients confidence that they are prepared for whatever comes up.”

If you have questions about staying healthy before a big trip, including vaccines or managing medications, or have concerns about a chronic condition and travel, your Catholic Health primary care physician is a great place to start.